An insult to the great Hal Foster

Hello,
Since you didn't mention any animated series that you do enjoy, I don't really think I could judge what sort of series you were expecting.

I respect your views, but I disagree with your argument. You admit that the series has "above average writing", and you consider that it has "Average acting" (What acting? This is animated..... perhaps you mean voice acting?).

You list "Below average animation", would you please give an example of animation that you grade as better that was done around the same time frame of The Legend of Prince Valiant?

Do I understand correctly, that you are dismissing the entire series based upon the fact that you dislike the theme song and animation, based on only seeing the first four episodes?

It is true that the series didn't use Foster's original story, but that doesn't make it inferior in any way. The creators of the series are well aware that their Valiant isn't much like the Valiant by Foster. Valiant's look was updated, and he lost the page-boy haircut. (something a lot of fans like!). Two major supporting characters were added in the series, one using the name "Arn", only making him a peasant, and Valiant's best friend instead of Valiant's son, or the Prince of Ord. Rowanne, the spirted Blacksmith's daughter, is the other character who was completely made up for the series version. There were countless other characters created for the series, not found in Foster's Prince Valiant.

The reason Hal Foster's name doesn't come up very often when the series is being discussed is that the comics and TV series only share very little in common. I know countless Valiant fans who like the comics, and I know some who hate them...... while still loving the Valiant from the series. To be honest, I don't love Hal Foster's comics, but I do enjoy them. I have to admit I was never drawn to Foster's Valiant before seeing the series. The current artist that took over Prince Valiant isn't a no-name as you think, but rather Cullen Murphy son of John Cullen Murphy, who was the close friend and co-artist to Hal Foster. I've read Foster's Valiant for years now, but I have to say I find it a little boring because of the lack of charater development. However I do respect that Hal Foster created the character of Prince Valiant, and without him the series never would have been made.

Believe it or not, the fanbase for the series actually honors Hal Foster every year, on a day we call "Prince Valiant Day", that was thought of by a fan of the series and comics. So we do remember the series' roots.

What I like about the series is it's moral values, and strong characters that come with an enduring quality of great storytelling. I like the way the story continues, and the character growth. By far I consider it the best animated series to date, and my personal favorite series of all time.

What episodes did you see? Was it before Merlin and King Arthur come into the story, when Valiant finds Camelot? If it is than you haven't even got into the main story yet. I wouldn't be so quick as to call the series an "insult", without watching more than four episodes. This is a very harsh unfair judgement in my opinion.

I wouldn't count on "civil" replies for this topic, because by putting the words "insult" as your title, you've already done enough to keep this from being a relaxed discussion. Some advice...... don't light the fire, if you can't take the heat.

Thanks for respecting my opinion that this is a great show, I can respect yours that it isn't, even if I disagree.

Jordan

Howdy edwchase,

Good old Val is finally getting bed feedback, that's a first! Maybe the show is really starting to catch on. : )

Your quote: "Let's keep this discussion civil. I respect your opinion that this is a great show; please respect mine that it is not."

My answer: Okay, you do not respect the opinion that this is a great show because you titled your topic "An insult to the great Hal Foster". By stating that you regard the show an 'insult' you are displaying a disrespectful opinion.

Having said that, I'll gladly answer your questions.

Your quote: "1. Are the people who are fans of this show, also fans of the source material (Hal Foster's Prince Valiant comic strip)? Or have you at least read it (Not the watered down version by some no-name artist in the newspapers today, but the original)?"

My answer: I'd say, maybe a less than even split on Foster fans V.S. None-fans.{but who's to know for sure?} I've read Foster's PV on and off, I'm surprised that you notice a difference between the strip under Foster and today's artist, personally they seem the same to me.

Your quote: "2. What is it about this show that makes you appreciate it so much? "

My answer: To the first part of your question:I think each fan of LOPV will give different reasons as to why they love the show, but just speaking for myself....The quality of the show, the production, the visual style, the cast, the writing, the entire package, LOPV is a classic. In short I appreciate the show for what it was in the 1990s and still is in 2007.

Your quote: "Does it get better later in the series? Does it just start slow?

My answer: You say you've viewed the first four episodes, the opening of episode one "The Dream" is probably the most jaw-dropping few minutes in animation ever brought to the small screen. Your idea of a "slow start" gives an indication that the four episodes were viewd by a sufferer of A.D.D.


Your quote: "Would I grow to like it if I watched later episodes?"

My answer: No, I doubt you'll ever like LOPV, the attraction to this show usually happens with the start of the very quotable theme song "Out where the truth lies". {Which by the way, was composed by "Exchange" with lyrics by Marc Jordan}

Your quote: "I noticed, when doing admittedly random post reads, I did not see anyone talk about Hal Foster. I am sure his name has come up here, but I did not see it."

My answer: "The reason Hal Foster's name doesn't usually get mention is that Hal died before the series was thought up. You see, "The Legend of Prince Valiant" {or LOPV as it's called} isn't suppose to be a TV Series version of the strip. The creator of the show, David J. Corbett said in an interview that he only only wanted to use the character Prince Valiant, and the idea behind Foster's work, he really wanted the show to be it's own thing...and it is. Val under went a major make-over for the show, starting with getting a hair cut, Arn went from Prince to Peasant, and is no longer Val's rival for a pretty girl, but his best friend and loyal follower.The female character Rowanne seems to have popped out of no where, as did other great characters like the Moorish Sir Bryant, The evil Lord Maldon, and later Val's young squire Denys. The series is not comic strip, and it never tried to be. Foster was a talented artist, but David J. Corbett had just as much talent to bring to life a series, built off of little more than a comic book full of colorful illustrations of an arthurian world, seen through the eyes of a character with a virtue for a name.
Hats off to David J. Corbett, and long live "The Legend of Prince Valiant"!

I have to say I kind of like the theme.